After more than eight years leading the Concord Police Department, Chief Gary Gacek is retiring from his 33-year career in law enforcement. He will join Eli Lilly’s Global Security Team, based in Concord.
Gacek informed City Manager Lloyd Payne of his decision to retire during a meeting on Monday. His last day as chief will be September 30, 2023.
“Chief Gacek has been an innovative leader for the City of Concord, pushing our Police Department to achieve the highest standards of public safety,” said Payne. “Through his outstanding and visible leadership, Chief Gacek has fostered trust and openness between the residents in our city and the brave men and women who serve us each day. He will be missed but I wish him the very best as he retires from his decorated law enforcement career and begins the next chapter in his life.”
During Gacek's tenure, Concord has experienced significant population growth, becoming the tenth largest and sixth fastest-growing city in North Carolina. Under his leadership, crime rates have decreased by over 45% in ten years, making Concord one of North Carolina’s safest cities.
“I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished to create safe communities where families and businesses can flourish. It has been my honor to serve alongside such dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to create a sense of security for all the people we serve in Concord,” said Gacek. “Serving as Concord’s Chief of Police has been the highlight of my career. After more than three decades in law enforcement, it’s time for me to move on, but I have the utmost confidence in the next generation of leadership.”
Gacek focused on strategic investments in leadership training to prepare future leaders. He led efforts for national accreditation from CALEA, a prestigious recognition achieved by fewer than 5% of U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Following a tragic line-of-duty death of a police officer in 2020, Gacek helped establish the Concord Police Foundation to support department employees and community policing programs.
Deputy Chief Jimmy Hughes will serve as interim Chief starting October 1 while a nationwide search is conducted for Gacek’s successor.
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